Medha Servo started production of 10 new rakes for Mumbai Monorail

Hyderabad/Mumbai, India (Metro Rail Today): Hyderabad-based firm Medha Servo Drives Pvt Ltd has commenced production of 10 new rakes of Mumbai Monorail. The first prototype rake will be delivered to Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) by October this year, said sources.

"Once the prototype rake is approved then after every three months three rakes will be delivered. In the next nine months from the arrival of the first prototype rake all 10 rakes will be with the authority. The inclusion of the new rakes will improve the frequency from 18 minutes to five minutes and will nearly double the total number of services to 250 each day," sources added.

In April 2022, MMRDA awarded a contract worth Rs 590 crore to a joint venture of Malasian firm SMH Rail Bhd and Medha Servo Drives Pvt Ltd for design, manufacture, supply, testing & commissioning of 10 new Monorail rakes of 4-car each and training of personnel for Mumbai Monorail.

“Commuters want to have stable services. If trains are available at constant frequency any commuter can plan their travel and we are able to provide the services at a time gap of 18 minutes now, which was earlier running at a 30-minute time gap with no proper punctuality. However, now the case is different and therefore the ridership has improved,” said an official.

“We are planning to extend the Monorail route by around 450 to 500 m and connect it with the Mahalaxmi Metro station. This will make the Monorail more viable considering it is in loss now, and also give commuters the option to travel from south Mumbai travel up to Chembur seamlessly via the interchange at Mahalaxmi Metro station,” said SVR Srinivas, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA.

The 19-km-long monorail that runs from Chembur-Wadala to Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk in Mumbai Central. Currently, a total of 118 trips are operated on the monorail at a time gap of 18 minutes.